About ERDT

THE ERDT PHILOSOPHY

The goal of ERDT/SHARE! is to provide opportunities for people of different cultures to come together to learn about other points of view and ways of life. We at ERDT/SHARE! believe that cross-cultural understanding is fundamental to developing mutual respect and tolerance between Americans and people from around the world. Our programs provide cultural experiences that foster good will, tolerance, and understanding through a positive people-to-people experience.

THE SUMMER WORK/TRAVEL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The U.S. Department of State created the Summer Work/Travel Program to provide bona fide foreign post-secondary students an opportunity to become directly involved in the daily life of the people of the United States through travel and temporary work for a period up to four months during their summer vacation. The U.S. Department of State administers the Exchange Visitor Program under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended. The Department of State designates U.S. organizations to administer exchange programs in several categories. These organizations are known as sponsors.

ERDT HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

Educational Resource Development Trust (ERDT), a nonprofit educational foundation, was established in 1974 and has, since its inception, been successfully involved in working with international students for educational and homestay programs. In the 1970s, ERDT was primarily involved in administering scholarships for employees of foreign government agencies and multinational corporations for study at U.S. colleges and universities.

In 1980, ERDT was designated by the United States Information Agency (now part of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) to sponsor a Teenager High School Exchange Program — our SHARE! High School Exchange Program. SHARE! now places more than 500 international students a year with American host families while they attend local high schools.

In 2004, ERDT received designation to become a sponsor of the Summer Work/Travel Exchange Program. The ERDT Work & Travel Program currently brings over 700 students annually from 5 continents to work in seasonal jobs during their university vacations.

ERDT also offers a variety of other programs, including F1 university and secondary school programs, short-term group and individual homestays, farm and ranchstays, and inbound and outbound volunteer programs.